Where do you fall in the sibling chain? I am the youngest. There are four years between me and my middle sister (and two years between her and the oldest). I was told she was immediately jealous of me. She would jump into my mother's lap while my mom was breastfeeding me. There has been a pretty large sibling rivalry there but of course things are better now. Middle children often develop a strong sense of independence and can be rebellious due to feeling like they are overlooked. They can struggle with self-identity and often look for validation with peers and have strong friendships. (Source) This very much describes my middle sister. She is still very close to friends from high school. She was definitely the most rebellious out of us all. She gave my parents plenty of problems, but she is also the one who jumped in to care for them whenever they needed it as an adult. As the youngest I was always trying to keep up with her. Today I am sharing a fun book about being the middle child and some of the positives of that role. It is Being Middle (is a great place to be) by Lori Orlinsky and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. At the end of the post there is a giveaway too!!
About the Book:
Being Middle (is a great place to be) Written by Lori Orlinsky and Illustrated by Vanessa AlexandreAges: 6-10 | 24 Pages |Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 978-0881441055
Publisher’s Book Summary: Life as the middle child feels cramped and unfair, but one girl discovers that the best things in life are found in the middle.
Being Middle is a heartwarming and playful picture book that celebrates the special role of middle children in family dynamics. With lyrical rhymes and relatable scenarios, it captures the ups and downs of being caught between a big sibling and a little one. From sharing cramped car rides to getting only hand-me-downs, the story explores challenges with humor and honesty—while ultimately revealing why being in the middle is something to treasure.
Purchase Links:
About the Author:
Lori Orlinsky is a multi-award-winning, bestselling children’s book author and journalist who resides in Chicago. The second book in the Being Me series, Being Middle is designed to show kids that their differences are actually their superpower. While Lori isn’t a middle child, she currently has her hands full raising one.
For more information, check out
- loriorlinskyauthor.com
- https://www.facebook.com/loriorlinskyauthor/
- https://www.instagram.com/loriorlinskyauthor/?hl=en
From Me:
Being the middle child is always seen as a hard spot. They often feel overlooked and invisible. I love how this book validates that but also shares some positive things about being the middle child. The truth is it is hard to be a child in any position. Each has its pros and cons, and it is learning to live in your position focusing on the pros that will help make life a little easier. This book shares some of those pros to help any middle child focus on them. The book does a great job of hearing the complaints and validating them as well as finding the pros and sharing them. It is well written a fun book. It is the perfect gift for the middle child in your life who may be struggling with feeling seen and an important part of the family.
Giveaway:
